Category: Central Route SitReps

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Southern Route RC Newsletter – July 2022

RFTW Southern Route

Welcome to the first XXXIII Southern Route Coordinator’s Newsletter.  Please allow me to begin this first of many newsletters by introducing myself. My name is Kris “Eyes” Wood. I recently moved to Wilder, Idaho, where we live on a small farm with the dogs, chickens and wildlife. My husband Don “Doc” Wood and I raised eight children together and currently have 16 grandchildren.

Run for the Wall Southern RouteI learned about the run from participating in PGR missions. I felt the travesty of RFTW being mostly an unknown event that involved hundreds upon hundreds of veterans. I decided to write a book, Run for the Wall – A Journey to the Vietnam Memorial.  My goal in writing the book was to raise awareness of the run and the need for Americans to actively support veterans.

As I have traveled across the country speaking about the run and sharing the book, The many veterans that have been given a copy, share how seeing the photos and hearing the testimonials have helped them come to terms with their combat experiences. Even if they are not able to ride with RFTW, the healing power of the run is there for them.

After the first year on the run, we were hooked and have returned year after year. I have held many positions on the Southern Route, including; 50/50 rouser, tail-gunner, assistant platoon leader, platoon leader, quartermaster, sit-rep writer and a three-year stint as the assistant route coordinator. I am honored to have been appointed as your Southern Route Coordinator for 2023.

The Southern Route has many devoted and hardworking volunteers. Michelle “Stonewall” Phelan has been appointed as the SR Assistant Route Coordinator and together we will plan and execute a safe, meaningful, MISSION FOCUSED Run for the Wall.

The mission is why I ride and why every rider that registers and shows up on the run should be riding:

To promote healing among ALL veterans and their families and friends, to call for an accounting of all Prisoners of War and those Missing in Action (POW/MIA), to honor the memory of those Killed in Action (KIA) from all wars, and to support our military personnel all over the world.

We each have a different and unique reason for riding. I recently contemplated why I ride. When I was 15 years old, my Dad, a World War II veteran drank himself to death, did he suffer from PTSD, or shell shock, I will never know.  The brother-in-law that took my Dad’s place, went off to Vietnam. Upon his return, he was not the same young man that left. Two years ago, he succumbed to Agent Orange related cancer. Freedom is not free and there is never enough that Americans can and should do for our veterans, hence I ride.

As we prepare for RFTW XXXIII, I encourage you to mentally prepare for the run. In your heart and mind, answer the question; Why do I ride?

If you are interested in a leadership position on the XXXIII run, please go to the Run for the Wall website and complete the volunteer form. If you were on the run last year, please complete an After Action Report (AAR), also found on the Run website. If the run is to continue, we need devoted, mission focused volunteers, if you are able, please volunteer.

I am honored to have been mentored and befriended by the Southern Route Family. I wish to thank those that have held this position before me, that have reached out to me with advice and encouragement; Roger “Cowboy” Mead, Billie “Bugs” Dunlap, James “Stoney” Stone, Laurie “Airborne” Clay, Reid “Pops” Choate, Raymond “Ghost Rider” Wyatt, Bob “Captain America” Nelson.

As the SR-RC, I am available to you. If you have an issue, something to share, do not hesitate to contact me; Kristine.wood@rftw.us.

IS IT MAY YET?

Kristine J. Wood “Eyes”
Route Coordinator, Southern Route

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Southern Route Coordinator News – June 2022 Epilog

RFTW XXXII 2022 RC Newsletter

June,  2022 Epilog

 

 RFTW Southern Route Family,

This is my last RC Newsletter for 2022.  (save the applause).

First, I want to Congratulate Kristine “Eyes” Wood on her BoD confirmation to be the Southern Route Coordinator for RFTW Mission XXXIII 2023.   Her work in support of the RFTW Mission, starting even before her FNG year, and especially as ARC these past 3 years, is proof that Kris earned this position.  Her patriotism stems from multiple generations of Military Service dating back to the Revolutionary War.  I have extreme confidence in Kris’ ability to Lead and Manage the Southern Route Mission.

Secondly, I would like to say what an Honor it has been to be the Southern Route Coordinator since 2020.  We, I mean ALL OF US, have been through a lot in the last 3 years to get Mission XXXII complete.

We started the pre-Mission festivities by celebrating the marriage of Santa Ed and Den Mother.

It was our first time in Casa Grande, AZ, and the folks there showed us great hospitality.

Hats off to the FNGs, overall, I would say that the vast majority adapted to platoon riding quickly and comfort levels increased daily.

Did everything go perfectly?  No.  Will it ever?  Doubtful.   We had to make several changes leading up to the start and they continued throughout the Mission.  The fact that most riders never knew about all of the behind-the-scenes juggling and hoop jumping actions, is a testament to the Leadership Team and State Coordinators commitment.  A HUGE THANK YOU, to ALL of you.  You deserve all the credit; I’ll take any of the blame.  I was blessed with the Greatest Bunch of Volunteers that money can buy. LOL.

*** For those of you who ordered the special 20th Anniversary T-shirts and have not picked them up, they will be mailed to you soon.  We are trying to get them mailed before the end of June.  Thank you for your patience ***

If you haven’t submitted your After-Action Report yet, Please do.  That is your opportunity to express your thoughts about this year’s Mission.   If you have ideas on how we can improve the experience, we would like to know.  Use this Link

Don’t forget the Angel Fire, NM Reunion over Labor Day weekend and the

Kerrville, TX Riders Reunion September 21-25, 2022, details on The Facebook page 

Only 333 days before Kick Stands Up May 17, 2023, I hope to see everyone there and many new faces too.

“Captain America, Out”

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Day 4: Snow Day!!

When we were children I think we all pretty much looked forward to snow days. I remember one from somewhere around my kindergarten or first-grade year. Frankly, I remember very little from that period of my life. We had nap time at school on mats printed to look like dollar bills, making mud pies under a tree, turning too tightly on a bicycle causing a handlebar to go into my eye cutting the inside of my eyelid, and an epic snow day! I was pretty short, so it may not have been that epic, but for me it was awesome. The snow that fell that year in Lancaster California was deep enough that my dad made pathways through the snow resulting in the snow on either side of the pathways being higher than my head. It was so cool!

Thankfully, the snow that caused our route to detour to a more direct route from Raton, NM to Limon, CO wasn’t higher than that young boy’s head, at least not by the time we hit the road. This morning was amazing. Our plan was to receive donated gas between 8:10 and 8:40 then have our rider check-in and briefings with departure around 10:00 AM to a lunch provided to us in Pueblo, CO. None of that happened. The entire region was hit with what I think was an unusual May snowstorm. A friend of mine who lives twenty minutes outside of Pueblo related that power had been out for five hours and that they had a good amount of snow on the ground. At my hotel check-in tonight in Limon, CO the kind woman at the front desk indicated they had 15 inches at her home.

Our leadership and those that support them rallied in a phenomenal way. Fred, an FNG, spoke with me about it at dinner tonight. I’m not going to quote him because my memory isn’t that of the young boy earlier described, but this was his sentiment. You know a leadership group is performing really well when you can only see the positive results of their efforts, not the efforts themselves.

Riders, drank coffee, prepared their bikes, donned rain gear, and swapped stories to pass the morning until the revised staging time of 11:00 AM. I was surprised not to see spontaneous games of Hearts or Spades from our mostly Veteran cohort but that didn’t materialize. To pass the time, I found Sage Coffee, a local coffee shop where I enjoyed a hot mocha and chatted a bit with the really nice people there. In my short time at the unexpected overnight stop in Raton, I came to realize that the town has a lot of heart. Thank you, Raton for welcoming the Run For The Wall as we adapted to both fire and snow.

After a unique morning briefing held alongside a Raton Fire Truck while using its speaker as a PA system, the pack set off to La Junta for a very unique fueling experience. I can’t state this with certainty but I suspect this fueling station was the smallest the Run has utilized in a time period that is likely measured in decades. The Loves Travel Stop in La Junta with a bit of spill over into the Pizza Hut next door, hosted us for fuel and staging. From there the second leg saw the Central Route arrive in Limon. It was a short ride of about four hours with just one stop.

Dinner in Limon was provided by the Chamber of Commerce and hosted in the gym of Limon High School. The kind smiles and warm food were the perfect remedies for our cold and shivering riders. Temperatures were in the 40’s for the entire ride. According to the weather.gov website, at a temperature of 45 degrees and having wind at 60mph, the wind chill feels like 31.9 degrees on your skin. Brrrrr!  Besides dinner, the Chamber gave us t-shirts emblazoned with the RFTW logo, the “We ride for those who can’t” mission tag line, and Limon Colorado 2022. It is a great souvenir from a town that clearly loves to host us.

During our dinner, where the tables were covered with red, white, and blue tablecloths (my wife would be proud that I noticed) Charlie, from the Chamber of Commerce introduced a hero from WWII. Ninety-seven-year-old Don Morrison is a local businessman who flew 17 missions over Nazi-occupied territory. The entirety of the room gave Don a well-deserved standing ovation. Every Veteran deserves honor and respect, but there is a reason we call our WWII heroes “the greatest generation”. Countless men volunteered to go to war on a global scale to preserve freedom for millions. Thank you Don for answering the call.

After quickly fueling in La Junta, I rode ahead of the pack to Limon where I had the fortune to meet a small group of Patriot Guard Riders. These amazing people drove from Colorado Springs to Limon to complete their mission! Our route change caused their mission of greeting us in Fountain (not terribly far from Colorado Springs) to cancel so they issued themselves their own FRAG Order and came out to Limon. We had a great time talking with these amazing patriots as we awaited the arrival of the pack.

Today was everything I expect from the Run For The Wall. We had the opportunity to honor the Veterans riding among us and also honor the veterans and families who host us. RFTW leadership excelled at what they do so well, safely hosting a parade across the country for those who never received the one they were due, and while we weren’t focusing on proper distancing from the bike in front of us, we saw some amazingly beautiful skies and countryside dotted by quaint patriotic towns and cities. A biker couldn’t ask for a better day in the saddle.

There is one more thing I’d like to add to close out this SitRep. Each morning we are holding a drawing in which only our veterans may participate. The wife of  Ron Seldon, a Vietnam Veteran who has spent many years taking his vacation time to go to Vietnam in search of the remains of missing soldiers was donated $2400 by the Run For The Wall. Ron passed away executing the mission of the RFTW some years back. Ron’s wife wouldn’t accept the money. Instead, she asked that it be given to riders to defray their lodging expenses as they complete the RFTW mission. So, each morning we are holding a drawing that awards a Veteran riding with us some of the money that Don Seldon’s wife so graciously sewed back into the RFTW.

Click the image to open a carousel of photos you can click through

Pack arrival in Limon

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Southern Route Coordinator News -May 2022 Part 4

RFTW XXXII 2022 RC Newsletter

May,  2022 Part 4

 

 

ONE MORE THINK or 2

Today Ron discovered another Harley Dealer that wants to assist RFTW with service.

He will give a military discount and will prioritize RFTW Bikes. It is in Loma Linda, CA but just a short drive down the 10.

Quaid Harley

25160 Redlands Blvd

Loma Linda, CA 92364

1-909-796-8399

Speak with Joe Pedersen

Reminder – If you are in a 4-wheel vehicle you must travel at least 2 miles in front of or back of the pack.  On Wednesday leaving Ontario, do not park in the staging area.  I suggest you leave right after the Morning All Hands Meeting.  The only exceptions world be the Chase vehicles and the Nurses. 

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The Alaska Airlines Fallen Soldier Cart

It’s almost time for the Run For The Wall. Riders are leaving their homes on their individual journeys to Ontario for the start of the mission. It is each of these individual stories that combine hearts and minds into one purpose to fulfill the mission of the Run For The Wall. Everyone has their own story, their own reasons for riding, their own troubles and victories. As a group, we listen and care for one another as we execute the mission of riding for those who can’t and peacefully drawing attention to the 81,600 servicemen and women who are still unaccounted for.

One of the stories woven into the Run For The Wall is the escort of the Alaska Airlines Fallen Soldier Cart across the country for delivery to an airport where it will serve to honorably carry the remains of fallen military members to and from aircraft. This year, the cart is traveling from the Seattle Tacoma (SEATAC) airport where it was constructed by Alaska Airlines volunteers, to Ontario and then on to Kansas City with the Central Route. The cart departed SEATAC this morning and will arrive in Ontario on Saturday, May 14th. It was at the cart’s first stop in Rochester, WA that I met up with it to thank the escort riders, and Jim Rea, the organizer of this year’s cart. My purpose for going to see the cart was to honor those making the escort journey and to help some of my friends and family in my home state understand a bit more about why we ride. Being a member of the Central Route, I will of course have opportunity to escort the cart, but seeing it in this context as a patriot citizen with others who cannot ride was fulfilling. Those I took with me were grateful for the opportunity to experience firsthand the patriotism that is still alive within Washington state and the rest of the country. It was with grateful hearts and tears in our eyes that we waved, saluted, and raised the flag for the escort and the cart as it departed Rochester on its journey southward to Ontario.

My personal journey to the 32nd Run For The Wall will start tomorrow, but the mission for most of us lasts all year. Today’s experience with the cart and one of the Patriot Guard Riders who escorted it from SEATAC to Rochester was a reminder that we should always be ready to listen to the stories of our brothers and sisters. After the cart and its escort departed, my family and I were in the parking lot packing up our flags and preparing to ride the 45 minutes back home when a gentleman began to tell his own story of woundedness. I gave the hero as much time as I could to unload some of what he was carrying. I hope it was enough. Everyone has value, everyone is important, and to lose anyone to their struggles is a tragedy.

Those carried by the Alaska Airlines Fallen Soldier Cart have their stories honored by the volunteers who sacrificed to build the cart and to carry it to airports across the nation. Their stories are also remembered by their Gold Star families and those who support them in their time of need. Every man and woman participating in the Run For the Wall has their own story as well. It is those stories when shared and honored that bring restoration and healing to the brokenness caused by military conflict. I look forward to bringing you the story of the Central Route this year and some of the individual stories that make the greater story of the 32nd Run For The Wall so much richer.

Departure of the Fallen Soldier Cart from Rochester Washington

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Southern Route Coordinator News – May 2022 Part 3

RFTW XXXII 2022 RC Newsletter

May,  2022 Part 3

 

 

This is it, The last Pre-Run list of good things to know.  Some of these you have already heard or should have.

  • You will get a copy of the Southern Route Itinerary when you “Check In”.  Study it. Where you need to be and when you need to be there is all right there.  A LOT of time and effort when into its publication, it is not intended to be a souvenir program.  The best prepared Riders have the least stress. 
    • Every exit is there in Bold and the arrival and departure times also.  Many Riders will write the exit numbers each day on the back of their windshields with a dry-erase marker to keep track
    • Be aware we will cross several time zones.  We lose an hour each time.  Make sure that your timepiece is correct, otherwise you will be late.  Getting a good night’s rest is crucial.
    • Keep your itinerary handy, pay attention at the Mandatory Riders’ Meeting for last minute changes.
  • Don’t forget to check your tire pressure.  It is often overlooked.  Under or Overinflated tires are unsafe.  Recommended tire pressure can be found in your owner’s manual or a sticker inside of a side cover, NOT on the tire.  While you are there, double check the tread all the way around the tires.
  • There are still open spots for the FNG Flag Relay.  You can be a part of this special mission by carrying the folded flag for one leg of the Southern Route Run.  Contact Rod Runyon by email to sign up.
  • One more time, HYDRATE !, HYDRATE !, HYDRATE!

See Y’all Soon. In the words of my cousin Willie, ” Just can’t wait to get on the road again”.

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Southern Route Coordinator News – May 2022 Part 2

RFTW XXXII 2022 RC Newsletter

May,  2022 Part 2

 

Greetings from Snowy Northern Nevada,

Hard to believe, but there is actually snow in the air.  But like the postman or postwoman,  Nothing will stay us from our appointed Route.      Happy Mother’s Day!! 

Today I bring you: More good things to know.

  • We will have Daily Raffles; they will include 50/50 and prizes. The prizes are collected and donated by the Southern Route Riders.  If you have something(s) you would like to donate that is small enough to be carried by the winner, please bring it to Ontario, or wherever you are joining us. 
  • We also have so many wonderful hand-crafted raffle items, including several beautiful quilts, bamboo cutting board and special wooden boxes. The special tickets for these items and others will be sold beginning in Ontario and along the Route.  The drawing for these will be in Wytheville, VA at the Moose Lodge dinner.   You need not be present to win, and larger items will be shipped home for you. Beside an awesome meal, there will be other special items available, so you don’t want to miss out.
  • There will only 400 tickets available to win a commemorative stained-glass panel, that was made and donated by our Road Guard Captain, Bob “Captain” Mazzone, He made one for each of the 4 Routes
  •  
  • We will be visiting with students from 2 elementary schools, 1 middle school and 1 high school. The younger kids love the “trinkets” we bring to give them.   Things like pencils, pens, lanyards, stickers, wrist bands, beads, and pins are all very popular.   I am bringing 2 grosses of special pencils, between Southern and SandBox Routes, I may only have handful left when I am done.
  • Be sure to explore our RFTW Facebook Page  it’s a great place to have some casual conversation also find and share knowledge.
  • Our Merchandise Trailer will be loaded with all manner of RFTW gear. It’s your one stop shop for RFTW Swag
  • Those who ordered the special 20th Anniversary Southern Route T-shirts they will be available for pickup in Ontario and along the Route.  Watch the message board for times and location
  • We also nave a limited number of The 20 Anniversary patches for sale
  • If you are already on the road, Be Safe, watch for loonies they are everywhere

Stay Safe, Stay Healthy, Stay Flexible and Stay Positive.

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Southern Route Coordinator News – May 2022

RFTW XXXII 2022 RC Newsletter

May,  2022

 

Greetings RFTW Southern Route Family,

IT’S MAY !!  And less than 2 weeks before KSU.  I am going to get right to it.    Things you need to know

  • There has been some discussion about Parade Size Flags. While every Patriot loves the American Flag.  We cannot permit them to be unfurled while riding in the pack. 
  • Make sure that your Registration, Insurance and Driver’s License (with proper endorsement) are up to date and unexpired when you show up to “Check In”.
  • The GOLDEN TICKET Raffle Tickets will be available for sale in Ontario. They will cost $5 each or 5 for $20.  We will sell Only 2,000 tickets and the number of winners will be based on the number of tickets sold.   If we sell all 2,000, we will have 10 winners.  Each winner will be considered prepaid at all non-donated fuel stops along the 2022 Southern Route.  You are still obligated to show up at morning staging with a full tank.   This excluded 4-wheeled vehicles. Drawing to be held at the Day 1 Morning Riders’ Meeting.  You must be present to win
  • If you haven’t already, fill out and sign your Emergency Information Form  . Click on the link to download the fillable pdf file.  Print 3 copies, one for your person, one to carry on the bike and a spare, just in case.
  • I know no one wants to hear this but, we may enter places where masks are required. So, pack a few.
  • For the FNGs, the Southern Route FNG Orientation will be on Tuesday 5/17 at 1:00 -2:00 PM
  • The MANDATORY ALL HANDS meeting will be held in LOT D at 3:00 PM
  • Hydrate! Hydrate! Hydrate!
  • Semper Gumby, be Always Flexible, Things don’t always go as planned. Be Patient, we’ll get there.

See y’all soon…..

 

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Southern Route Coordinator News – April 2022 Part 4

RFTW XXXII 2022 RC Newsletter

April,  2022 Part 4

 

 

 

Greetings from the Sunny State of Nevada

More rooms in Arlington VA

Some riders asked if there are still rooms available in Arlington VA for RFTW.   The answer is YES.  Although the Holiday Inn is fully booked, The nearby Westin Hotel  still has rooms at the RFTW Rate.  Use the link to book directly online.   

A word to the Wise

Also, save yourself some time and trouble by downloading the Emergency Information Form from this link.  If you wait until you check in, it is likely that some of the information will not be at your fingertips.   It is downloadable and savable to your computer.  Simply download it, fill it out COMPLETELY, and print at least 2 copies.   Personally, I suggest 3, One if folded in thirds both ways will fit neatly in the clear plastic pouch that comes with the lanyard that you will receive at Check-In.  Another can be on your bike; a good place is with your vehicle registration.  And I suggest you carry one in your wallet always.  I could give you dozens of reasons why this is so important, but I will sum it up with this one.  Should you find yourself in an emergency situation and are unable to speak for yourself, this it your voice.

Disclaimer

Just one more thing, the Golden Ticket mentioned in the last newsletter is only good for the Southern Route, and not valid for 4-wheelers.   Void where prohibited, Your actual mileage may vary…..   Side effects include a smile as you fuel and more money to buy more raffle tickets and merchandise.

 

 

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Southern Route Coordinator News – April 2022 Part 3

RFTW XXXII 2022 RC Newsletter

April,  2022 Part 3

 

 

Greetings Southern Route Riders,

The itinerary is set, and final preparations are underway.  Lately the most often asked question I get is “Is it May yet?”  the answer is soon, very soon.

The second most asked question is “How much is it going to cost me for fuel?”  The best answer to date has been, that depends on fuel prices.  We have 21 scheduled fuel stops on the Southern Route.  Some are fully donated; some are partially donated, and some are paid by the Riders.  Our trusty team has been tracking the gas prices all along our Route.  They have gone up and down but appear right now to be stabilizing somewhat.  We have a plan. For the partially donated stops, we will collect $5 from each vehicle and $10 at the Rider paid stops.  The most you will ever have to pay at a stop is $10, if you do your part.  Now what is your part?  That’s easy, show up every morning with a full tank.  It is what you should be doing everyday

GOLDEN TICKET

In my last regular newsletter, I mentioned a Golden Ticket.  What? You say.  Would that get me a tour in the Chocolate Factory?  No, but it would cover all of your fuel expenses, clear across the country. Yes, that’s right, all your fuel would be prepaid at every scheduled stop on the Southern Route 2022.  We have 2000 special raffle tickets which will be sold in Ontario for only $5 each or 5 for $20.  Depending on the number of tickets sold, is how many Golden Tickets (up to 10) will be awarded.  The additional monies collected will be used to pay for our Chase and the Hydration vehicles fuel costs.

High Fuel prices are something we all have to bear in our daily lives.  We are doing our best to stretch our limited fuel budget to keep the Riders’ costs down.  Also, to help speed up our lines through the pumps have your $5s and /or $10s ready.  As always, No Change will be given, any overpayment will be considered a donation to the fuel fund.  Please no $1 bills, Box Tops, IOUs or Crypto.  How much should you budget for fuel from LA to DC?  The best guess at this point is $340 to $370.  This would also cover your overnight fueling, so you have no excuse for not showing up to staging with a full tank every morning.